The government has awarded £10 to the King's Trust's new youth opportunity initiative.

This investment will be matched by corporate and philanthropic partners, creating a £20 million programme over the next four years to expand trusted adult support across England.

The announcement forms part of the Government’s £500 million National Youth Strategy ‘Youth Matters’ to improve opportunities and outcomes for young people, with a commitment to support an additional 500,000 young people to have access to a trusted adult outside their home by 2035. Current evidence suggests that as many as 1-in-5 young people do not have a trusted adult outside of home to talk to.

The programme will provide mentoring, coaching and careers advice, connect young people with trusted adults who can provide guidance and support during key transitions in their lives and help young people build confidence, skills and experience.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said: "Through this partnership with the King’s Trust and Gareth Southgate we will make sure every young person has someone they can turn to who is firmly in their corner.

Jonathan Townsend, UK Chief Executive of The King’s Trust, said: "We see every day the talent and potential young people across the UK have, but we also see the barriers that stand in their way.

"Too many are being held back simply because they don’t have access to the opportunities, networks or support they need. We know what works. Building confidence, developing practical skills and ensuring young people have someone who believes in them.

"This partnership and today’s event make significant strides towards delivering on our mission of ending youth unemployment and now depends on how many join us in building a wider network of support for young people. By working together, we can open doors for many more young people, but we need others to join us in creating those opportunities."